Metro Vancouver

Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in Delta, BC

Delta, BC tree permits start at 20 cm at 1.4 m. Sunshine Hills adds a 50 cm large-diameter class and 70 cm significant trees. Each confirmed permit fee is listed with the case it applies to.

Permit required at 20 cm DBH

Application fee: Varies by case

20 cm

protected tree threshold

Tree bylaws in Delta

Amendment Bylaw 8575 created a Sunshine Hills program with a lower large-diameter line and a class of significant trees.

Citywide, Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969 covers a tree 20 cm or wider at 1.4 m, a tree whose 3 largest stems add up to 20 cm, or a short tree 30.5 cm across at its base. Trees on City land, including parks and highways, are outside the bylaw.

The tables below list every confirmed permit fee with the case it applies to. Applications go through the eApply portal.

Delta tree permit rules

Minimum Diameter

20 cm

Permit Fee

Varies by case. See the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page

Processing Time

Confirm with the City of Delta

Penalty

Illegal cutting requires at least 5 replacement trees for each tree cut. Confirm fines with the City of Delta.

Special Zones

Sunshine Hills has its own rules under Amendment Bylaw 8575. The large-diameter class starts at 50 cm there instead of 60 cm, and a significant-tree class covers Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Himalayan Cedar, Norway Spruce and Giant Redwood at 70 cm.

View official bylaw City permit portal Metro Vancouver tree bylaw comparison

Sizes and fees by case in Delta

Permit fees, Delta
Amount	Applies to
$200	Sunshine Hills significant trees, 1 to 4: flat fee
$100	Sunshine Hills significant trees, 1 to 4: per tree
$300	Sunshine Hills significant trees, 5 or more: flat fee
$150	Sunshine Hills significant trees, 5 or more: per tree
$100	hedge, per 5 metre linear section: application fee
$50	hedge, per 5 metre linear section: per tree
$100	more than one tree in 24 months, all of Delta: application fee
$50	more than one tree in 24 months, all of Delta: per tree
$100	one tree in 24 months, Delta outside Sunshine Hills: flat fee
$100	one tree in 24 months, Sunshine Hills: application fee
$50	one tree in 24 months, Sunshine Hills: per tree

Before starting tree work in Delta

Get the permit before work starts. Removing a protected tree without one breaks the bylaw.

We confirm availability for your address before we quote. We do not offer emergency service.

If the removal ground is a hazardous or high-risk tree, ask us first. Some Metro Vancouver bylaws require a report author who also holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.